Severe flooding in northern Nigeria has killed over 80% of the animals at a major zoo in Borno State, home to species ranging from lions and crocodiles to buffalo and ostriches. The devastating impact on Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, located in Maiduguri, has left the facility grappling with significant losses. Zoo authorities warned that some dangerous animals, including crocodiles and snakes, have been swept into nearby communities, urging residents to take immediate precautions.
The floods began after the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rains, displacing thousands of people and impacting key infrastructure across the state capital. Critical facilities, including a teaching hospital and a post office, have also been damaged by the deluge.
In response, the office of President Bola Tinubu issued a statement advising residents in the worst-hit areas to evacuate. “President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state, particularly to those who have lost their livelihoods due to the disaster triggered by the dam’s overflow,” the statement read, adding that humanitarian aid would be provided to address the urgent needs of the affected population.
The flooding crisis has left many residents in dire straits. Suleiman Musa, a farmer and fisherman who relocated to a local school for shelter, described the severe hardship. “We are up to 20 people living in this house. We have no beds, mosquito nets, food, or money. Our children are sick, and we have nothing to take them to the hospital. We need the federal government’s help,” Musa lamented.
Floods have become a recurring challenge in northern Nigeria. Last month, similar flooding killed at least 49 people, while more than 600 died during a catastrophic flood in 2022.
In addition to the flooding, Borno State continues to face the ongoing challenges of a 15-year insurgency led by the Boko Haram jihadist group, further compounding the region’s humanitarian crisis.
